I have so many good experiences in the dart world that I just want to write about 'em and remember 'em! I'm not sure if anyone out in the dart cyber-world is interested so I'll hide it here under "More About Me"...

Favorite number?

Any number that I am shooting at!

Favorite out?

All 21 of 'em.

What do you do when you have to double-out and you have '50 left?

I cannot believe some darters actually have to think about this. You throw for the double-bull like you want to win the game.

Hello? What Were They Thinking?

Let's say that you're playing '501 and you have '451 points left. Your next round is a big fat resounding '25 points leaving you '426 points left. Now, that is really nothing to write home about, I mean '25 points isn't going to get you a whole lot closer to your out. You've got a long way to go, baby. There are those darters or team members who I know are trying to be supportive and they'll say "Good shot - You made it even!" ARGHHH. First of all, hitting '25 wasn't a good shot unless you were actually aiming for a grand total of '25 points and in that case you hit your target. Of course you weren't aiming for a measly '25 points, you were aiming for the holy grail in darts, the Ton80! But here's the part that really bugs me and that's the comment about "Way to go, you left it even!" Well, even doesn't really matter unless you have to double-out AND you are down to an out with one dart left. I mean, C'mon! There are plenty of three dart outs for odd numbers so it just doesn't matter at that stage in the game, when you are in the 400s, to concentrate on making the score even. Hello?

I Just Don't Understand...

The darters who have access to and use the "DartMaster" use it for its scorekeeping ability! The problem is this doesn't help darters learn their numbers - there is nothing like scoring a steel-tip game in front of a chalkboard with a piece of chalk in your hands. It's the best way to learn the game and the strategy - to anticipate what the player is going to throw at, to understand how to use all the numbers on the dartboard, and to learn new outs. But my biggest pet peeve with the "DartMaster" is not with the "DartMaster" itself, because it is a great little device, the problem, the biggest problem is that most darters do not take advantage of the true use of the "DartMaster" and that is to play the computer! One of the best ways to challenge yourself practicing alone is to play against the "DartMaster". You can play '301, '501 and Dirty Cricket, just you against the machine...AND you can play up to 7 different skill levels with each of these games! Try the highest level of '501 and watch the "DartMaster" throw a Ton-80. Miss an out, and you might not get a second chance. If you haven't played against the "DartMaster" and you have access to one, try playing against the machine...I guarantee that if you practice regularly with the "DartMaster" your game WILL improve!

Every Match Should Begin and End With a Handshake. Period.

This has only happened to me twice in my darting days...and hopefully this scenario doesn't happen too often to other darters or to me ever again because there really is no point to it. I am talking about throwing those divinely good darts, being in the zone, and winning your single's match in league play ONLY to have your opponent refuse to shake your hand afterwards. Like I said, there's no point to this. If you are going to play darts then learn to be a gracious winner as well as a gracious loser. This only gives me more confidence whenever playing that particular opponent in the future because I will shoot my little heart out before I give up a match to a poor sport. Secretly (okay, not so secretly!) my plan is to beat 'em and hopefully make 'em wish later that they had stayed home rather than venture out and play darts. There's no room in darts for poor sports so get out of my way.

Some of the biggest lessons to learn playing darts?

Face it, darts are played in pubs and often well into the wee hours of the night. It is so easy to let yourself get caught up in the moment and drink too much. It is a lot of fun raising a pint with your friends and throwing darts for the night. However, the painful truth of the matter is that it just isn't smart to drive when you are too tired or when you have been drinking. I'm not a saint, I'm not an angel and I'm not on a soap-box. I am just sharing what I am learning along the way and that is that if you're too tired to drive, or driving under the influence then you are either very lucky or bad things are likely to happen. It's a whole lot cheaper in the long run to call a cab. 'Nuff said.

Who are the darters that I admire?

I admire any humble and passionate darter. It doesn't matter how good you are if you're an arrogant darter. I have no respect, time or energy for the arrogant ones no matter how talented they may be or how smooth their stroke might be.

Next on my list? I do admire and respect those who give themselves tirelessly to running leagues, the blind draws and tournaments. Organizing darts is truly a labor of love and certainly no one is going to become rich running a tournament (except maybe Barry Hearn someday of the PDC). These volunteers have made a huge commitment and those folks most likely put up with a whole lotta crap. Remember that the next time you're asking for something from them.

Next, I have to mention that I admire the darters and dart pub owners who support and give regularly to charitable causes and benefits organized to raise money for darters in need. Yes, we all have darts in common but more than that we are all alike in our human-ness and we need to support the darter next door who needs a leg up along the way.

Lastly, if I am going to name names, my favorites - the ones that I look up to and are ten feet tall in my book are Mr. John Lowe (first darter to throw a perfect '501 OI-DO game on television) and Paul Seigel, AKA Dartoid. Dartoid might not be able to throw a dart but he sure does write a good column about the game. And from everything that I know about both of them, they are both humble, real, and passionate darters.

Advice for the beginner?

Don't be intimidated, always be gracious, have a kind word for everyone whom you meet, practice, find a blind draw, pick up Bull's Eye News Magazine and pick a tournament to go to, keep playing, practice, practice some more, ask other darters questions about the strategy or why they are doing what they are doing and most of all, have FUN!

The darters that I would most like to meet?

I would love the opportunity to personally meet and throw a game or two with each and every darter whom I have interviewed over the Internet. These are darters, like you and me, from all over the world who are simply passionate about darts. Everyone has a story to tell, don't we?

Favorite dart pub?

I tend to prefer the smaller pubs where I know the owner and my bartender- you know, the kinda place where everyone knows your name! My favorite dart bar is the small pub not far from home...where there are some good tunes on the jukebox, there's a decent area to throw darts, some good pub-grub and the beer is cheap! Good people, good darts and the closer to home, the better! That is my idea of MY favorite dart pub!

If you're visiting Chicago, it doesn't get any better than Sponge Reef in Schaumburg, Illinois, which ranks pretty high up there on my list. It's a small, little cozy place with owners Sharon and Rick Ford who are passionate steel-tip darters. Or, for the biggest and best dart bar in the city of Chicago - there is only one place to go and that is Di's Den on Irving Park Road. Tell 'em all that Sherilyn sent you!

Electronic or Steel-Tip?

Darts are darts and either way you need both mental focus AND the ability to hit your target when you need to. The point? Both electronic and steel-tip are "real" darts and there is plenty of room for both in the darting world. I think the darter who started out playing steel-tip is going to pick up and play electronic darts a bit quicker, but that is just my own personal opinion and I've got no stats to back it up. I just know what I see. The drawback of electronic darts is that if you are an ardant and passionate darter then you are definitely going to need a whole lot of quarters to keep the machine going. I play both and I'll never turn down a challenge for either, but my heart is in the steel-tip world.

I see the future of darts...

Darters are starting to play younger and younger it seems, here in the states. There are a lot more youth leagues and events than ever before and this helps the younger generation get in on the action. As for watching the action, I hope there are more televised dart tournaments and matches. The key for this success is to have announcers who know the game, know the strategy, have a good sense of humor and keep the viewers involved in the action - which is sometimes difficult to follow for someone who doesn't know the game.

Another key for the success of darts in the future is the sponsors and advertisers...I don't have a MBA, but even I can see some of the opportunities out there. Tournament sponsors don't have to be beer companies, dart-makers, or dart distributors...How about your favorite pro-darter sporting those "Foster Grants", you know the coolest sunglasses in the worl

There are so many opportunities - the future of darts as I see it includes a lot of positive press, televised coverage that gets the viewer really involved, and advertisers with money to back things up.

Lastly, for darts to continue to grow, darters, and I mean all darters, have a responsibility to help promote the game in a positive manner and this will help get new darters involved.

Darts - Is it a game or a sport?

Darts are a game AND darts are a sport, without a doubt. To be a successful darter you need mental focus, must know the strategy, have the skill to hit your targets, and you need to be consistent. You need precision, accuracy and stamina. These are the same qualities required to be successful in any other sport, so why should darts be any different? Darts are a sport, I tell you, a sport, dammit! Really. Yes indeed, darts are a sport and don't let anyone tell you any differently. In fact, why don't YOU tell 'em darts are a sport? Hmmmmm.

Why the addiction to darts?

I love darts for a lot of reasons. It feels great, better than great, to hit that Ton-80, those 3 perfect darts! Or even to double out with that last dart and hit the double-bull so you may advance to the next level at a tournament. Or when you are in the zone and feel unstoppable, when your adrenaline is pumping and your heart is beating so fast it's about to jump out of your chest - and somehow you find the accuracy you need, just when you need it - nothing beats that feeling. It's the challenge. It's the triumph of winning. It's the hope of doing your best and finding that mental zone within yourself. Darts are fun, fun, fun!

Along the way, it is the people and the friends that I have made that help keep me coming back. I have made some lifelong friends playing darts and I look forward to league night each and every night on the schedule!

Then there are the professionals - I am not sure of any other competitive arena where the professionals are as accessible to the little-unknown-darter like myself who simply loves the game. Just about every professional that I've met and had a moment of two of their time, has been happy to spend a moment with me. Or to even indulge me with a picture of me with him or her. Then there was the time I sent a letter to a professional darter who actually responded and played partners with me in a tournament! Now, where else but darts is that going to happen? Good darts, good people and good times - sounds good to me.

When I'm not playing darts at my local watering hole, you'll find me...
Reading, walking, surfing the net, handbag shopping, driving my husband CRAZY, procrastinating all the stuff I really do NOT want to be doing, hanging out with friends, scouting out the best garage sales and working on my dart website...

Who knows? I might be traveling the world searching for a dart bar and other passionate darters to shake hands at the line with...BUT! When I am at home, you will most likely find me playing with my two beagles: Augustino Dogmeister, World's Greatest Dog - or Augie (the Little Man), as we call him. And then there is the "Little Guy", Dudley Do-Wright, although sometimes he is just plain old Dudley Do-Wrong (no matter how hard he tries...).

Life is good, isn't it? Yes, indeed, life is good. As always, shoot well and I'll see you at the line.

Dudley Do-Wright, "The Little Guy"